Jharkhand hopes high at National Games

Ranchi (JPN/Bureau): Though the state of Jharkhand witnessed a historic day on Saturday what with a colourful start to the much awaited and delayed 34th National Games, the day was a bit marred by organisational chaos on the opening day.

Right from media accreditation to the information flow, everything was at its worse as the 1000-odd journalists found it extremely difficult to function at the 33-discipline event. Such was the chaos that even drivers of the bureaucrats were distributed the official media accreditation cards, while many local and outstation journalists struggled to get theirs done, as per reports from the ground.

Assistant director Subhas Kujur, who was incharge of the media accreditation, appeared a harried man surrounded by the journalists and officials.

"We are really under a lot of pressure. We are forwarding all the applications that are given to us. The technical people are working overnight to prepare the cards," Kujur told the press.

The scene was no different at joint secretary Rajeev Bakshi's office as he kept issuing passes and vehicle permits throughout the day.

"Sab chalta hai Jharkhand mein (Everything is possible in Jharkhand)," he went on to remark, summing up the state of affairs at the 34th National Games.

However, the ceremony was befitting the natural treasure trove of Jharkhand as various cultural programs were presented under glitzy lighting arrangements. In a great co incidence, Dainik Jagran also marked eight years of its being in the state.

The Games are important for Jharkhand because nearly 50% of its population comprises youth. Around nine hundred men and women sportspersons from the state will participate along with ten thousand other players from all over the country. That has given hope to the people of Jhrakhand as they already have sporting icons in MS Dhoni and Saurav Tiwari (cricket), Late Jaipal Singh Munda and Silwanus Dungdung (hockey), Sanjeev Singh (archery) etc.

Performance of these athletes will determine the performance of the state in play grounds and competitions around the country. It is hoped that from the 441 gold, 439 silver and 578 bronze medals up for grabs in the Games, Jharkhand sportspersons will bag a significant number of medals.

Even though a game is all about winning or losing, victory paves the way for a bright future.